The Local Switzerland

The changes to Swiss train schedules you should expect in 2026 Switzerland's new train (SBB) timetable, which will go into effect on December 14th, will bring some noticeable improvements in public transport for next year.

The changes to Swiss train schedules you should expect in 2026

Arctic blast brings snow and freezing weather to Switzerland Winter arrived early in Switzerland this year, covering much of the country in snow even before the winter season had officially begun.

Arctic blast brings snow and freezing weather to Switzerland

What's on in Switzerland: 10 events not to miss in December 2025 There is no shortage of events that take place throughout in Switzerland in December - from Advent festivities to spectacular Christmas markets.

What's on in Switzerland: 10 events not to miss in December 2025

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Monday Cold arctic air could ht Switzerland in coming days and weeks; Geneva's international agencies could suffer even more job losses; and more news in our roundup on Monday.

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Monday

What are Swiss housing cooperatives and can you access them? Some parts of Switzerland have housing cooperatives that offer more affordable rents. Here's what you need to know, and how you can apply to rent one of these apartments.

What are Swiss housing cooperatives and can you access them?

Which Swiss region has the highest tourist taxes? If you are vacationing in Switzerland, be aware that tourist taxes vary widely depending on your destination.

Which Swiss region has the highest tourist taxes?

How Europe's centrist governments can respond to the anti-immigration surge After the UK government recently unveiled immigration plans inspired by another centre-left government in Copenhagen, The Local looks to Spain and considers how the hardline Danish model isn't the only way to respond to Europe's surge in anti-immigration sentiment.

How Europe's centrist governments can respond to the anti-immigration surge

EXPLAINED: What the approval of the EU Talent Pool means in practice One further step was made this week towards the launch of the ‘EU Talent Pool’, the first digital platform that will match vacancies in shortage occupations in EU countries with non-EU jobseekers.

EXPLAINED: What the approval of the EU Talent Pool means in practice

Which Swiss city is the best for commuters to get to work? When it comes to time spent on public transport or in traffic jams or the cost of a monthly travel pass, not all cities in Switzerland are equal. In some places commuters find it easier and cheaper to get to work.

Which Swiss city is the best for commuters to get to work?

Six big news stories from Switzerland you need to catch up on this week Why the anti-immigration vote would be detrimental to the heath of Switzerland's population, and which measures impacting foreign nationals is the government considering — these are among the news that The Local reported this week. You can catch up on everything in this weekly roundup.

Six big news stories from Switzerland you need to catch up on this week

Why Switzerland's anti-immigration proposal could ‘put people’s lives at risk’? Referring to a study showing how the quality of healthcare in the UK has deteriorated after Brexit, a Swiss MP is warning that the same will happen in Switzerland if the hard-right’s immigration-curbing proposal is approved in a referendum.

Why Switzerland's anti-immigration proposal could ‘put people’s lives at risk’?

Why is German-speaking Switzerland better at English than French-speaking areas? When it comes to the mastery of the English language, there is a wide gap among the French and German speaking parts of Switzerland. But why is that?

Why is German-speaking Switzerland better at English than French-speaking areas?

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Friday Swiss named Europe's champions of train travel ; Zurich will give thousands of pensioners money to buy warm clothes for the winter; and more news in our roundup this Friday.

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Friday

Do I risk losing my Swiss C permit if I become unemployed? When it comes to Swiss work permits, some of them offer more benefits than others in case of job loss.

Do I risk losing my Swiss C permit if I become unemployed?

What immigration changes await foreigners in Switzerland in 2026 and beyond? Several proposals and changes are currently underway in Switzerland that could impact the lives of foreign nationals next year or beyond if they are implemented.

What immigration changes await foreigners in Switzerland in 2026 and beyond?

What are the Swiss rules if you can't get to work because of bad weather? Heavy snow, icy roads, and other extreme conditions can make it difficult, or even impossible, to get to work. What can your Swiss employer do if you are late or can’t make it to the office at all?

What are the Swiss rules if you can't get to work because of bad weather?

In Numbers: How many jobs have been lost in Geneva's international agencies? Due to funding cuts by the United States, Geneva-based UN organisations and NGOs have had to dismiss hundreds of their employees - with more job cuts still on the horizon.

In Numbers: How many jobs have been lost in Geneva's international agencies?

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Thursday Basel parliament gives the 'thumbs up' to the planned train from Basel to Sweden; Switzerland's population has a better English level of English than previously; and more news in our Thursday roundup.

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Thursday

Everything that changes about life in Switzerland in December 2025 The new and expanded SBB timetable and more Swiss Alpine slopes opening for winter sports, are among changes that are happening in Switzerland this December.

Everything that changes about life in Switzerland in December 2025

What to know about Switzerland's Christmas markets in 2025 You have probably noticed that Christmas (at least the commercial variety) comes earlier and earlier each year. Even so, it is certainly worth visiting Switzerland’s markets, where the festive ambience prevails from November to the end of December — and sometimes even longer.

What to know about Switzerland's Christmas markets in 2025

When do Switzerland's main Christmas markets open this year? You have probably noticed that Christmas (at least the commercial variety) comes earlier and earlier each year. Even so, it is certainly worth visiting Switzerland’s markets, where the festive ambience prevails from November to the end of December — and sometimes even longer.

When do Switzerland's main Christmas markets open this year?

Why the EU deal will be good for air travellers in Switzerland Residents of Switzerland have been disadvantaged when it comes to compensation for delayed flights. However, this will change if the new package of agreements between Bern and Brussels is approved.

Why the EU deal will be good for air travellers in Switzerland

Will Migros and Coop be forced to sell American meat under new trade deal? The new lower-tariff agreement between Bern and Washington stipulates that Coop, Migros, and other Swiss supermarkets should sell much more US meat. But will they?

Will Migros and Coop be forced to sell American meat under new trade deal?

EXPLAINED: Where in Europe can non-EU foreigners vote in local elections? Non-EU nationals living in Europe don't have many voting rights but some countries do allow them to cast a ballot in local elections. Here's what you need to know.

EXPLAINED: Where in Europe can non-EU foreigners vote in local elections?

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Wednesday Swiss supermarkets have no plans to sell US meat; new EU agreement would grant higher compensation to Swiss travellers; and more news in our roundup this Wednesday.

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Wednesday

Where can you shop in Switzerland on a Sunday? If you've spent time in Switzerland, you will have noticed that most shops close on Sundays. It's a part of Swiss law and culture to treat Sunday as a day of rest. But it can be a major inconvenience when you forget to shop on Saturday.

Where can you shop in Switzerland on a Sunday?

What to know about Switzerland's new trade deal with the US Last week representatives from Switzerland and the U.S. announced the framework for a new trade agreement between the two countries.

What to know about Switzerland's new trade deal with the US

Mixed reactions to plan to open shops on Sundays in Switzerland Shoppers across Switzerland must plan ahead or else face no food in the fridge on Sunday as most shops are closed then. But a new proposal would see that changed, at least partially.

Mixed reactions to plan to open shops on Sundays in Switzerland

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Tuesday Switzerland gets closer to Sunday shop openings; Swiss healthcare is ost expensive in Europe; and more news in our roundup this Tuesday.

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Tuesday

EU ministers agree new rules around suspending visa-free travel European affairs ministers gave the go ahead this week to new rules that will make it easier to suspend the right to visa-free travel for non-EU countries under certain circumstances.

EU ministers agree new rules around suspending visa-free travel